In This Issue
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 Enhanced Investors
We would like to express our deepest appreciation to all of our members for their support of the Chamber and, especially, to our Enhanced Investors, some of whom are included below:
Continuous Sponsors
Aflac; Bassett & Becker; Clear Channel Broadcasting; Columbus Bank and Trust Company/Synovus; Columbus Regional Healthcare System, Inc.; Georgia Power Company; NCR Corporation; PMB Broadcasting, LLC; St. Francis Hospital Inc.; TSYS; W.C. Bradley Company
Bronze Sponsors:
AT&T GA; Ben Carter Companies, LLC; Boral Bricks; Clark Realty Capital, LLC; Columbus State University; Flournoy Development Company; Humana Inc.; IBM, Inc.; Jay Automotive Group, Inc.; The Jordan Company; Jordan, Jones & Goulding; Kellogg's Snacks; Kodak; KPMG LLP; Lance Private Brands; McCarthy Building Companies; MeadWestvaco Mahrt Operations; Precision Components International, Inc.; Robins & Morton; Stanley, Beaman & Sears, Inc.; Strayer University; TIC Federal Credit Union; Warr Grading Contractor, Inc.
As a not-for-profit organization, the Chamber provides the ideal venue for public-private partnerships to maintain a pro-business region. While we appreciate all of our members, many business leaders recognize the value of investing more than their membership fees in the Chamber's mission to benefit the region. The Chamber's Enhanced Investor levels include Continuous, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Copper Sponsors.
Our enhanced investors receive Chamber benefits in accordance with the different levels of investments. We would like to have the opportunity to meet with you and discuss the benefits of becoming an enhanced investor or increasing the sponsor level of your current investment. Please contact Ashley Winkler at 706-596-7010 or awinkler@columbusgachamber.com.
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Strategic HR Partners provides a free service to Chamber members
Strategic HR Partners has partnered with the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce as a Strategic Partner. Because of this Strategic HR Partners will do a free HR audit for any member of the Chamber of Commerce for no charge. The audits will take anywhere from 4 to 16 hours maximum and have value of $2,400.
Click here to read the rest of the story.
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Employment Law Update
When:
Thursday May 19, 2011
Columbus, GA Convention and Trade Center
Room 211
801 Front Avenue
7:30 a.m. - Registration
8:00 - 12:00 noon - Program
Topics: - Are your pay practices going to make you pay?
- Think about OSHA before OSHA thinks about you.
- The new ICE age - Are you ready for an I-9 Audit?
- Protecting your assets - Use of restictive covenants and an update on Georgia's new non-complete law.
Speakers: Joseph P. Shelton, Mark Y. Thacker and Shannon R. Stevenson
Fisher & Phillips LLP Click here to read more about the event.
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Reminder to file applications for Freeport Tax exemptions
As a service of your Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce, this is a reminder that the application for Freeport Exemption Inventory by eligible companies must be filed with the Board of Tax Assessors on or before April 1, 2010, in order to be considered for maximum exemption. From April 1 until June 1, applications may be filed but will result in a partial exemption.
The following is from the Columbus Consolidated Government website:
- Class 1 - Raw materials and goods in process of a qualified manufacturer - 100% exemption.
- Class 2 - Finished goods produced in Georgia within the last 12 months - 100% exemption
- Class 3 - Finished goods stored in Georgia at January 1 and destined for shipment out-of-state within 12 months - 100% exemption.
Each of the above referenced Freeport Exemptions must be annually applied for and approved by the Board of Tax Assessors on or before April 1 of each year to qualify for 100% of the exemption. Applications for these exemptions may be obtained from the office of the Board of Tax Assessors.
The office of the Board of Tax Assessors located at 100 Tenth Street (East Wing/2nd Floor).
Website for Board of Tax Assessors
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Eye-Opener Breakfast
Come Mingle, have fun and make some business connections! Enjoy a breakfast buffet while generating valuable business to business contacts. Don't forget your business cards!
Proudly Sponsored By:
Program:
Update from the
Office of Crime Prevention
Presented by:
Seth Brown, Director
Office of Crime Prevention
When:
Thursday, March 24, 2011
7:00 a.m.-8:30 a.m.
Location:
Columbus Convention and Trade Center Dining Gallery
Cost:
$12.00 Members
$15.00 Future Member
Space is limited! Plan ahead to save your spot!
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Quick Links
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Columbus Region Day at the Capitol a success
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"Columbus Region Day at the Capitol" was held March 1 more than 30 people visited the capitol and had their photo taken with Gov. Nathan Deal. The group was recognized on the floor of both the House and Senate. Then the group had lunch with our delegation and guest speakers. This is the first year that Young Professionals had a delegation participating in the event. This event is important because legislation impacts business.
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Rep. Terry England, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, talked with the group at lunch about Georgia's budget and the Hope Scholarship.
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Sen. Tommy Williams, President Pro Tempore, addressed the group during lunch.
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Columbus Region Day at the Capitol also provided time to network.
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Chamber Board Endorses Three Bills
The Chamber Executive Board has endorsed three bills currently before the Georgia General Assembly. House Bill 86 would exempt energy used in the manufacturing process from sales and use tax. House Bill 69 and Senate Bill 10 are identical bills that would allow local governments to hold a referendum to allow Sunday sales of alcohol.
The process by which the Chamber makes these endorsements begins with a recommendation by the Chamber Governmental Affairs Committee to the Chamber Executive Committee. The Executive Committee then makes a recommendation to the Chamber Board of Directors. Mike Gaymon, President & CEO of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce, said, "The Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce is all about business. This is one way we can let our legislators know what businesses think about legislation. Our collective voice is much stronger than ours as individuals.
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Green Stamps and Leadership
Green stamps- Are you old enough to remember the old Green Stamps? For the younger readers, when you made purchases in the grocery store for example, the cashier would give you green stamps based on the amount of your purchase. Then you could lick them and put them in the Green Stamp Books. Once you got enough books filled up, you could redeem them at the Redemption Center for all kinds of products.
I remember when we got our first electric blanket with our Green Stamps. Dad didn't like it because we didn't need that kind of luxury. Mom would send me back to the store on my bike, which was a pretty long ride, if I forgot to get the stamps.
Some may wonder what Green Stamps have to do with our Chamber.
Click here to read the rest of the story.
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Columbus continues to receive visitors who want to know how we developed a Consolidated Government
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City Manager, Isaiah Hugley discuss with Luke Schmidt consolidation and regionalism with specific focus on the military and its impact along with Gary Jones, EVP of Military Affairs and Mike Gaymon, President and CEO of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce.
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Other areas continue to visit to find out our "secrets" in Columbus. Luke Schmidt visited Columbus last week to discuss the consolidation of the local governments, our regional approach to economic development, and the regional efforts of major issues dealing with the growth of Fort Benning and its impact upon the Greater Columbus Region. Schmidt said that he chose to visit and investigate these areas at the request of his client that wants to learn from our successes. He left with an understanding that there are no real secrets but a lot of hard work, committed leadership and change by design and not default. There has been however, a strong commitment to the public-private partnership and that the regional structure and progress requires a focused and long term view.
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Member News
TSYS' Corporate Headquarters Honored
Riverfront Campus Earns EPA's ENERGY STAR® for Superior Energy Efficiency
TSYS announced Feb. 24 that its riverfront campus has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) prestigious ENERGY STAR designation, the national symbol for protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency. This signifies that the building performs in the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency.
Click here to read the rest of the story.
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Aflac Makes 10th Appearance on FORTUNE's List of Most Admired Companies Magazine Lists Aflac as Industry Leader in Innovation Category
Aflac, the company that pays cash benefits fast when you are sick or hurt, today announced that it has been named a World's Most Admired Company by FORTUNE magazine for the 10th time March 7. The voluntary insurance giant finished No. 1 in the Innovation category for health and life insurance and No. 3 overall for health and life insurance. According to FORTUNE, the Most Admired list is the definitive report card on corporate reputations.
Click here to read the rest of the story.
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Read the blog posts and the more than 70 benefits of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce
Job Tax Credits
 Lee McDaniel
@ Kysor/Warren
The Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce has always been eager to assist us with opportunities for business growth. The Chamber has been especially helpful in offering programs and opportunities that eliminate "brain drain" and keep our best and brightest here in Columbus. Additionally, the Chamber has provided Kysor/Warren with information and direction in regard to job tax credit incentives. Job tax credits are beneficial in assisting companies in growth and expansion, and the Chamber is always at the forefront in providing expertise to assist as we invest in our business, our people, and our community.
Like diamonds, taxes are forever. However, the nuances of tax laws seemingly change with the calendar. It's hard enough running the day-to-day of your company's business, without having to read the tea leaves for guidance in shifting taxation. You would have to hire a full-time CPA to navigate your way through the maze and loopholes of rates and incentives.
Or, you could join the Chamber. We're not tax advisors, but we have a lot of information that might help reduce your company's tax burden and reduce your work costs. Job tax credits are just one way that the Chamber can help businesses grow and expand.
Read more from this blog post at the iamthechamber.com web site.
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© Copyright 2011. Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved.
1200 6th Avenue
Columbus, GA 31902
P: 706.327.1566 Toll Free: 1.800.360.8552 Fax: 706.327.7512
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